Sergio Aguero scored four times as Manchester City extended their Premier League lead to 16 points with a 5-1 demolition of Leicester at the Etihad Stadium.

City were in front after only three minutes when Leicester's Ben Chilwell failed to clear and Kevin De Bruyne's fine cross was turned in at the far post by Raheem Sterling.

But Pep Guardiola's runaway league leaders failed to build on their blistering start, with Sergio Aguero just unable to reach another De Bruyne ball in soon afterwards.

And with 24 minutes gone they were pegged back as a loose pass by Nicolas Otamendi was intercepted by Jamie Vardy, who ran on and slotted the ball inside the far post with the aid of a slight deflection.

The setback stung City into life, and Kasper Schmeichel made a good stop to deny Bernardo Silva on the half-hour and then dealt with a powerful De Bruyne strike minutes later.

Four minutes from the interval, Sterling threatened again, Aleksandar Dragovic making a fine block as the winger tried to slide the ball home after getting around Schmeichel.

Leicester brought on Danny Simpson for Adrien Silva at the break, but three minutes into the second half the Foxes were behind for a second time, De Bruyne again the architect with a great ball in from the left that was tapped home by Aguero.

And after 53 minutes De Bruyne made it a hat trick of assists when his sharp pass to Aguero inside the area was thumped home by the striker to ensure another City win.

Shortly after an hour had been played, Leicester brought on Riyad Mahrez -- returning to the squad after his hopes of a move to City had been dashed -- and ex-City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, replacing Chilwell and Fousseni Diabate.

City then made a change of their own, with Danilo entering the fray in place of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Bernardo Silva saw a floated effort drop just wide as City looked for a fourth, and soon afterwards Ilkay Gundogan was booked after bringing down Mahrez as he set off on a dangerous run towards the City area but the free kick came to nothing.

After 77 minutes Aguero completed his hat trick in style, chipping home after intercepting Schmeichel's disastrous attempt to pass the ball out of his own area, and then blasted home his fourth from the edge of the box in the final seconds.

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